Together we’ll create the best environment for patient care
The delivery of paracetamol from a glass vial allows air to enter the intravenous giving set risking venous air embolus. Paracetamol is already presented in bags which don’t entrain air and is used in this form without issue in many hospitals. The distraction afforded through keeping a watchful eye on […]
Australian Hospital Staff – please complete this very brief (less than 1 minute) survey to assess mobile phone reception (click here). The results will be used to help drive improved communication systems in the interest of patient safety. Perhaps the greatest impediment to patient safety is the inability for front […]
The Vortex Approach is designed to be used during the high-stakes, time critical situation of an evolving airway emergency. It is intended to help clinical teams perform under pressure by providing a simple, consistent template that can be taught to all clinicians involved in advanced airway management, irrespective of critical […]
In Australia, 2016 was marred with the events which occurred at Bankstown Hospital (see here). More deaths have occurred because of accidental hospital gas pipeline cross-overs. (To read about cases click on each image box below): In Australia, 2016 was marred with the events which occurred at Bankstown Hospital (see […]
The Between the Flags (BTF) system is a ‘safety net’ for patients who are cared for in NSW public hospitals and health care facilities. It is designed to protect these patients from deteriorating unnoticed and to ensure they receive appropriate care if they do. The BTF program addresses the Australian […]
A Cochrane review published in August 2015 (see here) found no evidence to support the routine changing of peripheral intravenous cannulae every 3 to 4 days. Healthcare facilities should consider a policy whereby catheters are changed only if clinically indicated. The implications of this for reducing unnecessary workload on the […]
(Please note EZDrugID is an external initiative) What is EZDrug ID? EZDrugID is a global campaign to improve the safety of medication packaging initiated by a multi-professional group of healthcare workers. Petitions to the relevant regulatory bodies to implement changes to drug packaging have been established in Australia, New Zealand, […]
Electrical dental drills heat up as they start to wear with time. This has lead to many reports of facial burns. The drill may not feel hot to the dentist – the burn being a product of time, pressure and temperature. Healthcare can persist with it’s usual response to this: […]
Ruby Yan Chen, a 3 year old from Queensland, died from an avoidable air embolus (see here). The process of disconnecting a valveless intravenous fluid bag allowed air to enter it. When the bag was later re-connected (re-spiked) the air passed through the intravenous line and into Ruby’s circulation leading […]
Everyone who belongs in healthcare passionately wants the best for patients. Medical error, however, persists as the third greatest cause of death. We have tremendous opportunity to improve. So what are the obstacles to patient safety? Despite appearing simple, removing unnecessary hazards within healthcare frameworks is extremely difficult. This ongoing […]